Kodak Center for the Performing Arts opens

The Kodak Center for the Performing Arts at the Eastman Business Park opened to the public Thursday for the first time. Officials also announced several musicals to be scheduled at the facility next summer.

The former Kodak Theatre on the Ridge is managed by the Rochester Association of Performing Arts in partnership with Eastman Kodak Co.

“This is a dream come true for the Greater Rochester community,” RAPA president and CEO James Vollertsen said in a statement. “We are well on our way toward converting this marvelous facility into a multifunction entertainment, conference and education center for the community.”

RAPA has reached a multiyear agreement with the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, Cayuga County, for performances next summer that include “Mary Poppins,” “Damn Yankees,” “On the Town” and “The Will Rogers Follies,” officials said.

Last August, Kodak announced it had reached an agreement RAPA to assume the management and operation of the theater and related facilities at Eastman Business Park

“We are delighted to welcome RAPA to its new home,” said Brad Kruchten, president of Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films, at Kodak. “We look forward to their success in attracting the arts community to Eastman Business Park and fully utilizing this tremendous facility.”

Vollertsen said RAPA is working with national production companies to attract major concerts and theatrical performances. Discussions also have begun with VisitRochester, the dba for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association Inc., to use the facility’s theater, audio-visual capabilities, meeting rooms and dining areas for major conferences.

RAPA also is exploring a partnership with Hillside Family of Agencies affiliates to develop opportunities around vocational education, work experiences, internships and employment at the facility.